AERFER Ariete
Italy (1958)
Detailing the development and operational history of the AERFER Ariete Jet-Powered Fighter Prototype.
Entry last updated on 10/23/2017; Authored by Staff Writer; Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com AERFER Ariete
The AERFER Ariete swept-wing jet fighter was given additional boost power through a second, lower-thrust turbojet buried in its fuselage.
In an effort to refine the earlier AERFER "Sagittario 2" ("Archer 2") swept-wing, jet-powered demonstrator into an operational-quality fighting form, company engineers produced the related "Ariete" ("Ram"). This version retained the former's swept-back wing elements which were mated to a redesigned fuselage. Despite the change, the aircraft still mimicked form and function of the earlier design on the whole. Unlike the Sagittario 2, power in the Ariete would come from a twin-turbojet arrangement - primarily propulsion from a Rolls-Royce "Derwent 9" series turbojet of 3,600 pounds thrust with a secondary boost feature provided by a Rolls-Royce "Soar" RSr 2 auxiliary turbojet, this offering an additional 1,810 pounds of thrust.
First flight of an Ariete prototype occurred on March 27th, 1958. The auxiliary engine was meant to add considerable output power for the compact, lightweight fighter and drew its air through an interesting, retractable, dorsally-mounted intake. The primary engine fit was still aspirated through the nose intake ductwork. Its close association with the earlier Sagittario 2 meant that many qualities of this new aircraft were carried over - the low undercarriage height, bubble canopy and conventional tail unit being some. Proposed armament for the fighter role was 2 x 30mm HDD-825 series internal cannons though these were never fitted.
First flight of an Ariete prototype occurred on March 27th, 1958. The auxiliary engine was meant to add considerable output power for the compact, lightweight fighter and drew its air through an interesting, retractable, dorsally-mounted intake. The primary engine fit was still aspirated through the nose intake ductwork. Its close association with the earlier Sagittario 2 meant that many qualities of this new aircraft were carried over - the low undercarriage height, bubble canopy and conventional tail unit being some. Proposed armament for the fighter role was 2 x 30mm HDD-825 series internal cannons though these were never fitted.
The Ariete program produced just one flyable prototype with a second airframe laying incomplete. There was thought given to replacing the thirsty auxiliary turbojet in the aft section of the fuselage with a simpler rocket booster unit - to produce the AERFER "Leone" prototype - but this initiative was not followed through. To that end, the Ariete completed the line of high-performance aircraft begun in the pre-World War 2 years with the AERFER S.7 prop-powered racer.
Performance specifications for the Ariete included a maximum speed of 675 miles per hour, a service ceiling up to 39,360 feet, and a rate-of-climb nearing 2,665 feet per minute.
Performance specifications for the Ariete included a maximum speed of 675 miles per hour, a service ceiling up to 39,360 feet, and a rate-of-climb nearing 2,665 feet per minute.
AERFER Ariete Specifications
Italy
Year: 1958
Status: Cancelled
Type: Jet-Powered Fighter Prototype
Manufacturer(s): Industrie Meccaniche Aeronautiche Meridionali (AERFER) - Italy
Production: 1
Supported Mission Types
Air-to-Air
Interception
Unmanned
Ground Attack
Close-Air Support
Training
Anti-Submarine
Anti-Ship
Airborne Early Warning
MEDEVAC
Electronic Warfare
Maritime/Navy
Aerial Tanker
Utility/Transport
Passenger Industry
VIP Travel
Business Travel
Search/Rescue
Recon/Scouting
Special Forces
X-Plane/Development
Crew: 1
Length: 31.50 ft (9.6 m)
Width: 24.61 ft (7.50 m)
Height: 10.76 ft (3.28 m)
Empty Weight: 5,291 lb (2,400 kg)
MTOW: 7,793 lb (3,535 kg)
Installed Power
1 x Rolls-Royce Derwent 9 turbojet engine developing 3,600 lb of thrust; 1 x Rolls-Royce Soar RSr 2 auxiliary turbojet engine developing 1,810 lb of thrust.
Standard Day Performance
Maximum Speed: 671 mph (1,080 kph; 583 kts)
Service Ceiling: 39,370 ft (12,000 m; 7.46 mi)
Rate-of-Climb: 2,665 ft/min (812 m/min)
Armament
PROPOSED:
2 x 30mm HDD-825 internal cannons.
Operators List
Italy (cancelled)
Series Model Variants
• Ariete ("Ram") - Base Series Name
Supported Weapon Systems
